Ozaukee County, WI — November 26, 2025, Thomas Paine was killed and Elizabeth Long, Luke Reynebeau, and Michael Schulz were hurt in a truck accident at around 3:11 p.m. on I-43.
Investigators said that the crash took place in the area of Highway 33. Reports indicate there was winter weather at the time of the crash.
According to officials, 71-year-old Thomas Paine was in a Sprinter van going northbound along I-43. Also going northbound were a Ford fusion driven by 29-year-old Elizabeth Long and a Subaru Forester driven by 36-year-old Luke Reynebeau. From the southbound lanes, it appears an 18-wheeler lost control and jackknifed. Then, the truck veered into oncoming lanes where it crashed with the other three vehicles.
Thomas Paine died as a result of the crash. Authorities say that Elizabeth Long, Luke Reynebeau, and Michael Schulz (Reynebeau’s passenger) were seriously injured. Authorities did not report other injuries.
In recent reports, authorities said that they cited the truck driver for failure to maintain control of a vehicle and illegal crossing of a divided highway. Additional details remain under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
It may seem like this situation is open-and-shut due to authorities citing the truck driver. However, it’s not just about finding someone to blame. Victims and families deserve a full explanation, and they deserve to know there will be accountability for what happened. I’ve handled hundreds of commercial vehicle accident cases. That accountability usually requires looking behind the scenes to find out why the mistakes that led to the crash happened in the fire place.
Here’s what I mean by that. Authorities allege that the truck driver failed to maintain their lane and crossed into oncoming lanes. That’s pretty obvious. But was it because the driver was going too fast for conditions? Were their tires worn and needing to be replaced? Were they rushing to meet a deadline? Had they been behind the wheel for too long? Were they properly trained and qualified to operate a commercial truck? Did they have a history of reckless driving? Did cargo shift? Does the driver regularly use their phone while driving?
In most truck accident cases I’ve handled, these questions can show that the cause of a crash happened before the driver got behind the wheel. If companies are allowing or otherwise pressuring drivers to bend and break the rules, accidents are bound to happen. That means investigations need to extend beyond the crash scene and address the root causes. Otherwise, that behavior will continue, and more families will have their worlds shattered by future accidents.
So, while authorities may have found reason enough to cite the truck driver here, it’s important to know if their investigations are extending beyond the crash site. Accountability means knowing all responsible parties will answer for their actions.
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